The standard features list is long, and includes dual-zone automatic climate control with air filtration, cruise control, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel, electronic trip computer, a 150-watt 10-speaker Symphony II AM/FM/cassette audio system with a 6-disc dash-mounted CD player, a rear cargo net and rear cargo cover, rain-sensing variable intermittent wipers, intermittent rear wiper, heated windshield washer nozzles, foglights, headlight washers, a roof rack, first aid kit, ABS, EBD and BA assisted 4-wheel discs, stabilization program (ESP), traction control and lest I forget, for the first time as standard equipment in all quattro cars, leather seats. Whew! Did I miss anything?
Actually I did. Its base 170-hp turbocharged 1.8-L 4-cylinder engine connects through to standard quattro all-wheel drive, making this wagon more of a 'crossover' than many competitors trying to stake the claim. Few AWD systems can compare with Audi's legendary quattro, and I'm not just reiterating some marketing department press release either. After driving a previously borrowed A4 1.8T sedan quickly through freshly fallen blankets of knee-high snow, covering pre-frozen sheets of ice, the quattro A4's traction at takeoff, during turns and braking was magnificent.